New York- We’re less than 48 hours away from Opening Day. Baseball fans have been counting the days off their calendar. To open the gates in the Bronx, the Red Sox visit the Yankees for one of sports biggest rivalries. On Friday afternoon, Gerrit Cole will take the mound to face off against Boston’s ace, Nathan Eovaldi at Yankee Stadium. Cole finished second as the 2021 American League Cy Young runner up. The Yankees look to get revenge on the Red Sox, who eliminated the Bronx Bombers last October in the AL Wild Card game.
The American League East may have the most competitive division across MLB. Last season, three AL East teams appeared in the postseason (NY Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays). In spite of not advancing to the playoffs, Toronto had one of the best offseasons across the league in free agency along with trades such as the acquisition of three-time Gold Glove winner, Matt Chapman. The Baltimore Orioles have developed top tier talents in 2021 Silver Slugger Award winner Cedric Mullins and 2021 AL Comeback Player of the Year, Trey Mancini. With that being said, today, Latino Sports goes in depth on the American League East.
TAMPA BAY RAYS:
2021 Record: 100-62, Won the American League East
2021 Result: Loss in ALDS to Boston Red Sox (3-1)
RAYS OFFSEASON:
Key Departures: Free-agent DH, Nelson Cruz (Nationals), Free-agent pitcher, Chris Archer (Twins), Free-agent pitcher, David Robertson (Cubs), Free-agent pitcher, Collin McHugh (Braves), Free-agent pitcher, Michael Wacha (Red Sox), Traded outfielder, Austin Meadows (Tigers), Traded infielder, Joey Wendle (Marlins), Traded OF/1B, Jordan Luplow (Diamondbacks), Traded INF/OF, Mike Brosseau (Brewers), Traded pitcher, David McKay (NY Yankees)
Key Additions: Signed pitcher, Corey Kluber (NY Yankees), Signed pitcher, Jason Adam (Cubs), Signed pitcher, Brooks Raley (Astros), Acquired outfielder, Harold Ramirez (Cubs), Acquired infielder, Isaac Paredas (Tigers), Extended infielder, Wander Franco
RATING: C+
Randy Arozarena – La Habana, Cuba
2021 Regular Season Statistics (141 games):
20 home runs, 145 hits, 20 stolen bases, .356 on base percentage
Randy Arozarena is a finalist for the 32nd Annual Latino Sports AL Rookie Award.
BOSTON RED SOX
2021 Record: 92-70, 1st AL Wild
2021 Result: Loss in ALCS to Houston Astros (4-2)
RED SOX OFFSEASON
Key Departures: Free-agent pitcher, Adam Ottavino (NY Mets), Free-agent pitcher, Eduardo Rodriquez (Tigers), Free-agent OF/1B, Danny Santana, Mutual option declined DH/1B, Kyle Schwarber (Phillies), Club option declined pitcher, Garret Richards (Rangers), Club option declined pitcher, Martin Pérez (Rangers), Traded outfielder, Hunter Renfroe (Brewers)
Key Additions: Signed infielder, Trevor Story (Rockies), Signed pitcher, Matt Strahm (Padres), Signed pitcher, Jake Diekman (Athletics), Signed pitcher, Rich Hill (NY Mets), Signed pitcher, James Paxton (Mariners), Signed pitcher, Michael Wacha (Rays), Acquired outfielder, Jackie Bradley Jr (Brewers)
RATING: B+
Xander Bogaerts – Oranjestad, Aruba
📸 Photo Credit: (Photo Bill Menzel/Latino Sports)
Bogaerts is one of the core pieces of the Red Sox franchise. The shortstop has accomplished four silver slugger awards throughout his 9-year career (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021). His postseason clutch factor is an advantage for Boston. In his postseason career (44 games), Bogaerts has 37 hits, 16 runs batted in with a .309 on base percentage. The two-time World Series champion is prepared to take on the 2022 season.
NEW YORK YANKEES
2021 Record: 92-70, Second AL Wild Card
2021 Result: Loss 6-2 to Boston Red Sox in AL Wild Card Game at Fenway Park
YANKEES OFFSEASON
Key Departures: Free-agent pitcher, Corey Kulber (Rays), Released infielder, Rougned Odor (Orioles), Released outfielder, Clint Frazier (Cubs), Traded 1B/DH, Luke Voit (Padres), Trade catcher, Gary Sánchez & third baseman, Gio Urshela (Twins), Traded INF/OF, Tyler Wade (LA Angels), Traded pitcher, Nick Nelson (Phillies), Traded pitcher, Joely Rodríquez (NY Mets), Waiver claim outfielder, Greg Allen (Pirates), Waiver claim infielder, Andrew Velsquez (LA Angels), Cleared waivers, pitcher Andrew Heaney (LA Dodgers)
Key Additions: Signed outfielder, Tyler Locastro, Signed INF/OF, Marwin Gonzales (Astros), Signed pitcher, Shelby Miller (Pirates), Signed INF/OF, Jose Pereza (NY Mets), Acquired third baseman, Josh Donaldson, shortstop, Isaih Kiner-Falefa & catcher, Ben Rortvedt (Twins), Acquired pitcher, Miquel Castro (NY Mets), Acquired catcher, Jose Trevino (Rangers), Acquired pitcher, David McKay (Rays), Re-signed first baseman, Anthony Rizzo
RATING: C+
Gleyber Torres – Caracas, Venezuela
The 25-year-old will need to be a major factor in the Yankees success this upcoming season. Now playing in his primary position at 2B, Torres has shown the capabilities to be the Bronx Bombers offensive spark in past seasons. Gleyber Torres won the 2019 Latino Sports American League MVP Award. In the 2021 season, he tallied 119 hits, 51 runs batted in and 14 stolen bases.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
2021 Record: 91-71, 4th place in AL East
2021 Result: Failed to reach postseason
BLUE JAYS OFFSEASON
Key Departures: Free-agent pitcher, Steven Matz (Cardinals), Free-agent infielder, Marcus Semien (Rangers), Free-agent pitcher, Robbie Ray (Mariners), Free-agent outfielder, Corey Dickerson (Cardinals), Free-agent pitcher, Joakim Soria, Free-agent pitcher, Kirby Yates (Braves), Traded outfielder, Randal Grichuk (Rockies), Traded catcher, Resse Mcquire (White Sox), Traded pitchers, Kirby Snead, Gunnar Hoglund, Zach Logue & infielder, Kevin Smith (Athletics)
Key Additions: Signed pitcher, Yusei Kikuchi (Mariners), Signed pitcher, Kevin Gausman (Giants), Signed pitcher, Yimi García (Astros), Signed pitcher, Andrew Vasquez (Dodgers AAA), Acquired third baseman, Matt Chapman (Athletics), Acquired outfielder, Raimel Tapia (Rockies), Acquired 1B/C, Zack Collins (White Sox), Waiver claim pitcher, Shaun Anderson (Phillies)
RATING: A-
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Montreal, Canada
2021 Regular Season Statistics (161 games):
.311 batting average, 48 home runs, 111 runs batted in
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a finalist for the 2021 Latino Sports AL MVP Award.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
2021 Record: 52-110
2021 Result: Last place in AL East
ORIOLES OFFSEASON
Key Departures: Free-agent pitcher, Matt Harvey, Free-agent pitcher, Fernando Abad, Released pitcher, Brooks Kriske, Traded pitchers, Cole Sulser & Tanner Scott (Marlins), Waiver claim pitcher, Hunter Harvey (Giants), Waiver claim pitcher, Eric Hanhold (Pirates), Waiver claim pitcher, Zach Burdi (Diamondbacks)
Key Additions: Signed catcher, Robinson Chirinos (Cubs), Signed pitcher, Jordan Lyles (Rangers), Signed infielder, Rougned Odor (NY Yankees), Acquired pitcher, Antonio Velez & outfielder, Kevin Guerrero (Marlins), Waiver claim pitcher, Cionel Pérez (Reds), Waiver claim pitcher, Bryan Baker (Blue Jays)
RATING: D
Jorge Mateo – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
📸 Photo Credit: Major League Baseball
The 26-year-old shortstop looks to be a lead contributor to the Orioles rise in the AL East. Mateo made his MLB professional debut on August 13, 2020, for the San Diego Padres. He began last season with the Padres before being dealt to Baltimore. In 89 games played last season, Mateo totaled 48 hits with a .293 on base percentage.
Robert Rizzo Contact Info:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.rizzo.1042
Email: RobertRiz994@gmail.com
gralion torile
April 28, 2022 at 5:50 pm
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…